A RESOURCE FOR CAREGIVERS

About … Why I started blogging about mental illness.

Jill receiving the Minister of Health’s Shield Award on January 3, 2012.

I opened this website to let all the mothers out there with mentally ill children know that they are not alone. If your child has a mental illness, no one is to blame. It is a physical illness that affects the brain instead of the body. Explain this to people and they might understand what it is about.

The stigma accorded mental illness is terrible and if we talk openly about it, it is the only way to help lessen it.The world has done a good job of teaching people not to talk about their relative’s mental illness. They know how severely the world judges; scorn, blame and condemnation. By talking out, the silent millions can change the stereotype that mentally ill people are strange – strange because they probably come from crazy families.

My son suffered from schizophrenia and his illness ripped the family apart. It took time until we realized that it was possible to cope. Humor deflects explosive situations. I felt very sorry for my son but I felt sorry for myself too until I learned that anger was destructive. It took a long time for me to understand that it is not what happens to me in life that counts, rather, how I cope with adversity.

I don’t think that psychiatrists should ever tell a patient that there is nothing that can be done to help his/her condition. There is! The doctors can instruct, listen and most important of all, give hope. Nobody can live without hope.

HONORS:On Jan. 3, 2012, I received the prestigious award known as the Ministry of Health’s Shield, for my voluntary work in the field of mental health. The award was presented at the Knesset (Parliament) in Jerusalem.